How I Convert My FAA Instrument Rating To TC Instrument Rating

For the latest update, please check Transport Canada (TC) website (or Google: “faa to tc conversion”).

FAA to TC Conversion
FAA to TC Conversion

TL:DR

  1. Have completed an Instrument Flight Test or Instrument Proficiency Check within the past 24 months
  2. Have a valid Aviation Document Booklet (Read here on how to convert FAA CPL to TC CPL)
  3. Have a valid medical
  4. Make an appointment for written exam
  5. Study and pass the exam (20 questions, 1 hour, 70% to pass)
  6. Apply for conversion
  7. Get your Group 1, 2 or 3 Instrument Rating sticker in the mail
  • No flight test needed
  • No need to enroll into a flight school
  • No recommendation letter needed

Details

It is way simpler to convert a FAA Instrument Rating to a TC Instrument Rating provided you already have a valid Aviation Document Booklet and valid medical.

Prerequisites

  1. Have completed an Instrument Flight Test or Instrument Proficiency Check in within the past 24 months
  2. Have a valid Aviation Document Booklet
  3. Have a valid medical

Step 1: Get Ready For The Witten Exam
(Recommendation letter NOT REQUIRED)

  1. Find out which exam you need. There are two FAA to TC Instrument Rating exam.
    1. FAAIA – for aeroplane
    2. FAAIH – for helicopter
  2. Make an appointment for the written exam.
    1. Send an email to the nearest civil aviation regional office with your information and exam you want to take (FAAIA or FAAIH)
    2. You should receive a reply within two business days
    3. Pay for the exam before going for the exam. Instructions will be given to you in the email.
  3. Study of the exam!!
    1. Check out Study and Reference Guide for Instrument Rating
    2. Use CARS and AIM to study
    3. Or you can use other online courses out there
  4. Things to prepare (for when you pass your exam)
    1. Print and fill up 1 form
    2. Supporting documents
      • FAA Instrument Rating (Photocopy)
      • Logbook copies of
        • Flight test logbook entry within the past 24 months or
        • Instrument Proficiency Check within the past 24 months and logbook entry
        • With dates clearly shown
    3. Receipt, proof of payment (Payment can be made on the same website where you paid for the written exam.
  5. On the day of the exam
    • Be there 10 minutes early
    • Relax and enjoy the exam!

Step 2: After Passing The Exam, 70% to Pass

  1. You will get your results immediately
  2. Submit the form and the supporting documents you prepared
  3. Go home and celebrate!!

That’s it!! You just have to wait for Transport Canada to verify some information with the FAA and you should get your Canadian Instrument Rating sticker in the mail within a month. Provided no other documents are requested by TC.

(Updated) Which Will You Get? Group 1, 2 or 3?

Many people are wondering about this when they are converting their Instrument Rating. In the US, there is only one Instrument Rating that covers all fixed wing aircraft. However in Canada, there is Group 1, 2 and 3. (Group 1 = Multi-Engine, Group 2 = Multi-Engine Centerline Thrust, Group 3 = Single Engine)

Most people who are planning to convert from FAA to TC has CPL(A) SMEL (or MEL) with Instrument Rating. After you gone through the above process, you should get Group 1. From my understanding, you should get a one-to-one conversion from your FAA license to TC license.

For whatever reason there is a restriction to your FAA license, you may get a different TC license. For more information, please contact your local Transport Canada Regional Office and clarify.

Be sure to check out my other blog post here and follow me on Facebook! Feel free to leave you thoughts in the comment section below.

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12 Comments

  1. Hello, thank you for the important information. I am also in a similar situation and in need of an IPC in Canada. I have found an FAA/TC instructor but cannot locate a US registered aircraft to conduct the IPC. Do you have any idea where that would be an option in Canada? Thank you very much, Lior

    • Hello Lior. Sorry, I do not have this information. Will the instructor be able to fly an aircraft over from the US to do the IPC? Have you explored the idea with the FAA/TC instructor the possibility of using an AATD for the IPC in Canada?

  2. Hello, thank you for the important information. I am also in a similar situation and in need of an FAA-IPC in Canada. I have found an FAA/TC instructor but cannot locate a US registered aircraft to conduct the IPC. Do you have any idea where that would be an option in Canada? Thank you very much, Lior

  3. Hello, thanks for the information fisrt.

    I understand that If it’s over 2years since getting instrument rating, need IPC in US and need cfii’s signiture.
    Is it possible to check with simulator?

  4. Hi, thank you so much for your info, it’s super helpful!

    Could you please show us the source of information about “Which Will You Get? Group 1, 2 or 3” of this article?

    I have FAA Commercial Instrument SEL&MEL and have done a recent FAA Instrument Proficiency Check with a single-engine Cessna. I’m hoping to do a conversion from FAA to TC and get Group 1 Instrument Rating, but I couldn’t find the information above from other sources after searching.

    Thank you in advance.

  5. Hello, regarding to Instrument Rating Flight Test or IPC, did you do it in Canada or US?
    If it is in Canada, does it mean the examiner must be FAA CFII rated?
    Also, the priority shall be to convert the FAA CPL to TC CPL first. If do not meet the requirement, do the Instrument Rating Flight Test or IPC in Canada or in the US?

    Thank you

    • Hello Archi, this is definitely a very late responses and I apologies. You probably found an answer by now. I did my initial IFR Flight Test and also an IPC in the US. If you were to do the IPC in Canada, from what I heard from my other readers, you do not need an examiner but you’ll need a pilot with FAA CFII and TC CPL.

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